100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 59: Quicksilver Highway

Director: Mick Garris

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Runtime: 90 minutes

Year: 1997

Starring: Christopher Lloyd, Matt Frewer, Raphael Sbarge, Missy Crider, Silas Weir Mitchell, Bill Nunn, Veronica Cartwright, Bill Bolender, Amelia Heinle, Clive Barker, Cynthia Garris, Kevin Grevioux, Christopher Bart, William Knight, John Landis

Description: Two tales of terror, told by a travelling showman.

Review: In the small world of modern horror authors, Stephen King and Clive Barker are both big names. For many fans they are even legends. Although both authors have shown their diversity, they are known and praised for their lurid horror stories. “Quicksilver Highway” is a movie directed by Mick Garris, based on two short stories: “Chattery Teeth” (King) and “The Body Politics” (Barker).

“Quicksilver Highway” starts with a newlywed couple. Their car broke down in the middle of the dessert. Husband Kerry leaves his wife Olivia to find help. When the evening falls, Olivia gets company from the mysterious traveler Aaron Quicksilver. This travelling story teller invites Olivia inside his trailer, for a story. The use of character of Aaron Quicksilver is an outstanding way to tell the two separate stories.

It’s veteran Christopher Lloyd who portrays the eccentric Quicksilver. A role that seems perfect for him. He manages to make Quicksilver dark, sarcastic and diabolical. Sadly the character is only used between the two stories, because Lloyd’s performance is probably the highlight of the film.

The first story is set in the dessert. Bill Hogan, a salesman on the road, picks up a hitchhiker. He hesitates at first and it appears that the hitchhiker does have a hidden agenda. But Bill gets help. I would spoil the film if I told you who helped him, because that’s the fun part. Just think of the title “Chattery Teeth”, which was chosen for a reason. The first is okay, mainly because of the gloomy and humoristic undertone .

The second story is not as convincing. It is a story that is hard to adapt as a credible movie. It’s basically about hands that want to start a revolution, by disconnecting themselves from the bodies they are attached to. “The Body of Politics” wasn’t the best story in the bundle “Books of Blood” by Clive Barker, and it appears that the movie version is also just mediocre.

“Quicksilver Highway” is definitely not something you will remember for a long time, but it is fun. Thanks to the stories of masters King and Barker.

Rating: 2,5/ 5